Bravo to Lancaster Newspapers for their editorial supporting Martic Township supervisors and Lancaster landowners who have chosen to speak out against the pipeline. The editorial staff correctly called out local politicians and supervisors for “kicking the can,” and refusing to take a stance. Leaving residents to “[fight] a Goliath” on their own. Read on:

On the Lancaster County pipeline issue, there are few political profiles in courage

Landowner Ed Saxton of Martic Township tears up an easement contract sent to him by Williams Partners.

Posted: Thursday, October 9, 2014 6:00 am

The Editorial Board

“Township governments actually have no power. All we can do is plead our case in as factual a way as possible, resisting any emotion. We spent a considerable amount of money drawing the resolution up so that it has the greatest possibility that it will be read by FERC. We’ll send it to our senators, congressman and representatives.”

So said Martic Township Supervisor Ted Irwin, after his board passed a resolution Mondayopposing a natural gas pipeline proposed for Lancaster County.

The resolution urges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deny permission to build any part of the pipeline in Martic Township.

That township is the second municipality here to oppose the pipeline, and the first in the pipeline’s proposed path to do so.

On Monday evening – at their monthly meeting - the Martic Township supervisors announced a resolution stating their opposition to the construction of the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline anywhere within their township. Full text can be read below.

Martic SOUL – a group that has been working with residents & supervisors to stop the pipeline in Martic, issued a short statement after the meeting: “Martic Township Supervisors… you are amazing for saying this. Thank You.”

Five Lancaster County, PA landowners from three townships organized a press conference on Saturday to reject easement offers for the Atlantic Sunrise project – a massive 42” proposed pipeline. Williams Partners, the company behind the proposed pipeline, began offering tens of thousands of dollars to landowners late last month – months before the company is expected to file for approval of the project through FERC.

Landowners, neighbors, supporters call for mass rally against pipeline on October 25th

Five Lancaster County, PA landowners from three townships organized a press conference on Saturday to reject easement offers for the Atlantic Sunrise project – a massive 42” proposed pipeline. Williams Partners, the company behind the proposed pipeline, began offering tens of thousands of dollars to landowners late last month – months before the company is expected to file for approval of the project through FERC.

The landowners ripped up their multi-thousand dollar offers on Saturday, stating their belief that the deals are a last-ditch attempt to win Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval. Ed Saxton, of Martic Township, hosted the press conference at his home. He warned: “This is a proposed pipeline. People in Lancaster County and Lebanon County – do not sign these agreements. This is a ploy to get a foothold with FERC.”

Kevin Shelley, of Martic Township, spoke about the power of the local movement and the broader implications of the pipeline as he ripped up his Williams easement offer.

“This isn’t going to stop here. If you think we’re “Not In My Backyard” kind of people – we’re not. It’s going to spread out from here. We’re looking our for everybody.”

Lancaster County’s “Stop the Pipeline” movement has been called “unprecedented” by FERC. Indicative of this statement, the five landowners were joined by supporters & landowners from nearly the entire proposed route through Lancaster County. County residents from Martic, Conestoga, Manor, West Hempfield, and Rapho townships came to support the landowners as they spoke out.

The residents and landowners jointly called for a “Landowners: We’ve Got Your Back,” rally on October 25th in Lancaster. They say all those who are worried about the pipeline’s safety impacts should attend. “Even if it’s in our backyard, it’s your children and lives, too,” said Kim Kann of Conestoga township, as she ripped up her easement offer.

This Saturday, October 4th, at noon, landowners from Martic, Conestoga and Manor townships will join together to announce their rejection of Williams Partners’ easement offers. The press conference will take place at the home of Ed Saxton. Saxton is one of the landowners who is rejecting Williams’ offer.

The landowners, in conjunction with Lancaster Against Pipelines, will announce plans for a rally in Lancaster City on October 25th in support of landowners who reject Williams’ easement offers.

The address of this press conference has not been published publicly as it is at a private residence. If you’d like to attend, please email nick@shalefieldorganizing.org

On an overcast morning last week, Darvin Martin crested a small rise on Indian Marker Road in western Manor Township and eased his SUV to a stop along the berm.

Farm trucks grunted up and down the hill, carrying harvested corn from the adjacent field. Martin stepped out into the cool humidity and pointed toward another rise, to the north. There, he said, was the site of Conestoga Indian Town, where in 1763 six Native Americans — among the last of the once-mighty Susquehannocks — were butchered by the Paxton Boys, who would then travel on to Lancaster to kill 14 more and complete the infamous “Conestoga Massacre.”